Earlier this week we received a message from a past client. This client used to be very involved with our relational ministry program, accessed resources from multiple GAPs for years, and stayed connected with various churches she had developed a relationship with throughout her time living here. Two years ago God called her to move away from this community. In her message, she explained that she had recently broken a tooth, and that reminded her of how grateful she was for the staff and volunteers who helped at our dental clinics and dental vans. “I just wanted to tell you that I miss you guys, truly.” How grateful we are at Love INC to be one working part of this body of servant hearts here in this wonderful town of Newberg! Thank you to all who help build up, foster, and maintain our GAP ministries. You are truly making a difference. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13

Once again, God has shown his great care and provision! A Love INC client who received treatment at a dental clinic has agreed to be a board patient for a dental student at Chemeketa Community College. Dental students must perform specific tasks on a board patient under the supervision of several board examiners. As stressful as that already is, it can be an even greater stress to find willing patients. This student was incredibly blessed to find a patient so easily—the less stress, the better! The Love INC client gets to receive free preventive care while earning a stipend. This is such a great opportunity for both student and patient! “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7

Previous Love Story “God Most High” shared the difficulty in occasionally having to deny a client dental care because of another health issue. One such client was suffering from a blood pressure condition, which meant she couldn’t receive the treatment she needed. On top of that, she wasn’t able to afford the necessary medication. However, an anonymous donation miraculously provided the specific prescription for her at the perfect time! She was then able to receive her dental treatment on January 17th! God is faithful to provide for our needs, even when we don’t expect it! “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:19

Every now and again a patient is turned away at our dental clinic because of a high blood pressure reading. Standard medical protocol is to not conduct dental appointments if a person’s blood pressure reading is too high in order to avoid an adverse reaction that could develop during dental treatment. This is always a difficult situation to handle. The situation becomes even more challenging if we learn a patient is unable to afford blood pressure medicine, as was the case with one Love INC client. Miraculously, Love INC received an anonymous donation specifically for prescription medicines just in time to help this person! “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”- Psalm 56:3

As of June, we have made significant headway in our dental clinic wait list, seeing all signed-up clients and even providing follow-up treatment for everyone that has needed it. All of this is thanks largely in part to the incredible work that our Dental Clinic Coordinator has done scheduling so many clinics. As a result, we were temporarily worried we would not be able to continue filling appointments at such an accelerated rate, until we realized that it was perfect timing to expand. Our Executive Director decided we could bless the Newberg community at large by extending the offer of free dental care to non-clients of Love INC (i.e. volunteers, church members, etc.) who do not have dental insurance. So far, at least a dozen members of the Newberg community have had free dental cleaning appointments and that number continues to grow. It is really amazing that we've been able to meet this need at such an incredible rate. Our hope is that anyone who is uninsured or underinsured in Newberg would take full advantage of this incredible offer of free, high-quality dental care. “And no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it.” -Acts 4:34-35

A high volume of phone calls are made and/or received in the process of scheduling Love INC dental clinics. These calls can become quite burdensome for even the most motivated volunteer. On average, upwards of 100 calls are made once confirmation, cancellation, and reminder calls are factored in. Conversations like the one a volunteer had with “Stephen,” remind us that every call is valuable to our clients. “Stephen,” fresh off a tooth extraction, took time out of his day to call and express his gratitude to us for always being apt with our reminder calls. “If it hadn’t been for your reminder I would have forgotten about my appointment. I couldn’t have afforded to miss this opportunity. God bless you!” “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Casey Eye Institute conducted Love INC’s last vision screenings of the year on August 2nd, examining the eyes of more than 25 clients at the Newberg Church of Christ. A handful of medical professionals volunteered their time alongside two Love INC receptionists to screen uninsured members of the community and provide them with a free prescription. Using the information provided on their prescription, clients were then able to select their favorite pair of frames through Zenni Optical and have them ordered by Love INC at no cost to them. Love INC receives annual funding from Give A Little Foundation specifically for vision services, making the restoration of sight to the blind a reality for so many in our community! “The Lord said to him (Moses), ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”- Exodus 4:11

Old friends reunited at one of our dental clinics this month and their friendship blossomed all over again. Joyce was working as the receptionist, checking in and directing clients, when she noticed a familiar face show up for a dental appointment. Low and behold, it was a former classmate of hers! After catching up for a few minutes, they agreed to meet for lunch sometime later in the week. When the two finally met, Joyce was given a beautiful flower arrangement that her friend had put together from her garden. Joyce was so blessed by her friend’s gesture that she shared a picture of the bouquet. “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”- Romans 12:10

It was a long day for our Ministry Coordinator, Michele. She had been making numerous phone calls to various hospitals in order to schedule a doctor’s visit for one of our sick shelter guests. As soon as she was done, she rushed off to an appointment of her own at her Dentist’s office. She had been having some pain around one of her gold crowns. While visiting with her Dentist, Michele asked him what they did with gold teeth dental scrap; to her surprise, he reported that for the past several years they had been selling them to a refiner and donating that money to Love INC. Michele was thrilled to tell them she worked for Love INC and expressed her gratitude for their faithful contributions. “Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.”- Psalm 119:127

Carrington College is the latest school to join our ranks as a participating team at the Love INC dental clinic. The Dental Hygiene program will be providing approximately twenty students to help with our May clinic. The director of the program is excited to join our mission and we’re equally excited that they have chosen to work alongside us to serve clients with dental work needed. “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”-3 John 1:8